Integrated sintered bodies and a method of producing the same

ABSTRACT

An object of the present invention is to provide an integrated sintered body having a first phase and a second phase containing yttrium-aluminum garnet as a main component, in which the incidence of peeling of the first phase from the second phase is reduced to improve the production yield. A sintered body  1  has at least first phase  3  and second phase  2 . The first phase  3  has, as a main component, alumina containing a total amount of 12 weight percent or more and 50 weight percent or less of one or more of stabilized zirconia and partially stabilized zirconia. The second phase  2  contains yttrium-aluminum garnet as a main component.

[0001] This application claims the benefits of a Japanese Patent Application P 2003-7488 filed on Jan. 15, 2003, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to an integrated sintered body having a sintered phase comprising yttrium-aluminum garnet and a method of producing the same.

[0004] 2. Related Art Statement

[0005] In a semiconductor manufacturing system in which a super-clean state is necessary, as a deposition gas, an etching gas and a cleaning gas, halogen-based corrosive gases such as chlorine-based gases and fluorine-based gases are used. For instance, in a semiconductor manufacturing system such as thermal CVD system, after the deposition, semiconductor cleaning gases composed of halogen-based corrosive gases such as ClF₃, NF₃, CF₄, HF and HCl are used. Furthermore, in a step of the deposition, halogen-based corrosive gases such as WF₆, SiH₂Cl₂ and so on are used as gases for use in film deposition.

[0006] It is thus desired that members for use in a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus, for instance, members that are accommodated in the apparatus and an inner wall surface of a chamber are provided with a coating that is high in the corrosion-resistance against a halogen gas and its plasma and stable over a long period of time.

[0007] The assignee disclosed, in JP 2002-249864A, that when an yttria-alumina garnet film is formed on a surface of a substrate by use of a spraying method, excellent corrosion resistance against plasma of a halogen gas can be endowed and particles can be suppressed from generating.

[0008] In plasma spraying process, however, it is difficult to form a film having a thickness over a relatively low limit, such as 0.5 mm.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The assignee filed a Japanese patent application 2002-165, 100, and disclosed a process of forming yttrium-aluminum garnet film on the surface of an alumina substrate by applying gel casting.

[0010] The inventors have further studied the above process, and found the following problems. That is, as the thickness of the yttrium-aluminum garnet film is made larger, cracks may occur in the film to increase the incidence of products having the film peeled from the underlying alumina substrate. Such cracks and peeling reduce the production yield.

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide an integrated composite sintered body having a first phase and a second phase containing yttrium-aluminum garnet as a main component, in which the incidence of cracks in the second phase and the peeling of the second phase from the first phase can be reduced to improve the production yield.

[0012] The present invention provides an integrated sintered body having at least first and second phases. The first phase comprises, as a main component, alumina containing a total amount of 12 weight percent or more and 50 weight percent or less of one or more of stabilized zirconia and partially stabilized zirconia. The second phase comprises yttrium-aluminum garnet as a main component.

[0013] The present invention further provides a method of producing an integrated sintered body having at least first and second phases. The first phase comprises, as a main component, alumina containing a total amount of 12 weight percent or more and 50 weight percent or less of one or more of stabilized zirconia and partially stabilized zirconia. The second phase comprises yttrium-aluminum garnet as a main component.

[0014] The present invention is based on the following discoveries. That is, it is possible to reduce the incidence of peeling of yttrium-aluminum garnet phase from an alumina phase by adding a total amount of 12 weight percent or more and 50 weight percent or less of stabilized zirconia and/or partially stabilized zirconia into the alumina phase integrated with the garnet phase, even when the thickness of the garnet phase is made larger.

[0015] According to the present invention, either or both of stabilized zirconia and partially stabilized zirconia is added to alumina. The total amount of stabilized zirconia and partially stabilized zirconia is from 12 weight percent to 50 weight percent, based on 100 weight percent of a total amount of stabilized zirconia, partially stabilized zirconia and alumina.

[0016] It is possible to considerably reduce the incidence of peeling of the second phase by increasing the total content of stabilized zirconia and partially stabilized zirconia to a value of 12 weight percent or more. On this viewpoint, the total content of stabilized zirconia and partially stabilized zirconia may preferably be 20 weight percent or more, and more preferably be 25 weight percent or more. Further, it is possible to considerably reduce the incidence of peeling of the second phase by reducing the total content of stabilized zirconia and partially stabilized zirconia to a value of 50 weight percent or lower. On this viewpoint, The total content of stabilized zirconia and partially stabilized zirconia may preferably be 40 weight percent or lower, and more preferably be 35 weight percent or lower.

[0017] These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be appreciated upon reading the following description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings, with the understanding that some modifications, variations and changes of the same could be made by the skilled person in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018]FIG. 1(a) is a diagram schematically showing an example of a sintered body according to the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 1(b) is a diagram schematically showing another example of a sintered body according to the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a preferred example of a manufacturing process of a sintered body.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Yttrium-aluminum garnet constituting the second phase may be represented by a formula Y₃Al₅O₁₂ (YAG:3Y₂O₃.5Al₂O₃). The composition contains yttria and alumina in a ratio of about 3:5 and has a crystalline structure of a garnet.

[0022] In the first phase, stabilized zirconia and/or partially stabilized zirconia is/are added to alumina. The representatives and the ratios of stabilizing agents for the stabilized zirconia are listed as follows. ratio of stabilizing agent Stabilizing agent (mole percent) Y₂O₃  8-50 CaO 15-28 CeO₂ 15-50 Sm₂O₃  8-33

[0023] The representatives and the ratios of stabilizing agents for the partially stabilized zirconia are listed as follows. ratio of stabilizing agent Stabilizing agent (mole percent) Y₂O₃ 1-7  CaO 1-14 CeO₂ 1-14 Sm₂O₃ 1-7  MgO 1-50

[0024] Additional components and impurities other than yttrium-aluminum garnet may be contained in the second phase. However, a total content of the components other than yttrium-aluminum garnet may preferably be 10% by weight or less.

[0025] Additional components and impurities other than alumina, stabilized zirconia and partially stabilized zirconia may be contained in the first phase. However, a total content of the additional components and impurities may preferably be 10% by weight or less.

[0026] In both of the first and second phases, the powder mixture may contain powder of a third component. However, the third component is preferable not to be detrimental to the garnet phase and is preferable to be capable of replacing yttria or alumina in the garnet phase. As such components, the followings can be listed.

[0027] La₂O₃, Pr₂O₃, Nd₂O₃, Sm₂O₃, EU₂O₃, Gd₂O₃, Tb₂O₃, Dy₂O₃, Ho₂O₃, Er₂O₃, Tm₂O₃, Yb₂O₃, Lu₂O₃, MgO, CaO, SrO, ZrO₂, CeO₂, SiO₂, Fe₂O₃, and B₂O₃.

[0028] Preferably, the stabilized zirconia comprises yttria stabilized zirconia. Alternatively, the partially stabilized zirconia may preferably comprise yttria partially stabilized zirconia. More preferably, the content of yttria is 3 to 12 mole percent.

[0029] The shape of the first or second phase is not particularly limited. In a preferred embodiment, the first phase is a substrate 3 and the second phase is a film 2, and the substrate 2 and 3 are laminated as shown in FIG. 1(a). 4 represents an interface of the first and second phases. In an integrated sintered body 11 shown in FIG. 1(b), the first and second phases are both composed of bulky bodies, which are integrated as one body.

[0030] The sintered body according to the present invention may have one or more additional sintered phase other than the first and second phases. The additional phase may have any shape or form not particularly limited. The additional phase may preferably be laminated with the first and second phases. The additional phase may be contacted with the first phase, or with the second phase, or with both of the first and second phases.

[0031] The first and second phases may be shaped by any processes, including gel cast molding described above, cold isostatic pressing, slip casting, slurry dipping, doctor blade and injection molding. The order of shaping steps of the first and second phases is not limited. For example, the first phase is shaped by gel cast molding and the second phase may be then shaped by gel cast molding or the other process to produce the shaped body. Alternatively, the second phase is shaped by gel cast molding or the other process to produce a shaped body, which may be then contained in a mold and the first phase may be then shaped by gel cast molding in the same mold.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the first and second phases is shaped by means of gel cast molding process. According to the process, a slurry containing ceramic powder, a dispersing medium and gelling agent are molded and gelled with the addition of a crossing agent or adjustment of temperature so that the slurry is solidified to obtain a shaped body.

[0033] A gel cast molding process is known as a process for producing a shaped body of powder. However, it has not known to shape the first phase with gel cast molding in producing the integrated shaped body having the first and second phases. It has not also known to co-fire the thus obtained shaped body to produce a sintered body having the first and second phases.

[0034] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the first phase (alumina phase) may be shaped in advance. That is, the first phase is shaped by gel cast molding or the other shaping process. The raw material of the second phase (yttrium-aluminum garnet) is then weighed, wet mixed and agitated to obtain a slurry for the second phase. The shaped body of the first phase is contained in a mold, into which the slurry for the second phase is supplied and solidified to produce an integrated shaped body. The shaped body is removed from the mold. After the solvent and binder of the body are removed, the body is sintered.

[0035] According to the present invention, the thickness of the second phase (“TA” in FIG. 1(a)) may be increased to 0.2 mm or more, and further to 0.5 mm or more. Even in this embodiment, the peeling of the second phase may be effectively prevented.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, gel casting process is carried out as follows.

[0037] (1) A gelling agent and ceramic powder are dispersed in a dispersing agent to produce a slurry. The gelling agent includes polyvinyl alcohol and a prepolymer such as an epoxy resin, phenol resin and urethane resin. The slurry is then supplied into a mold and subjected to three dimensional cross linking reaction with a cross linking agent to solidify the slurry.

[0038] (2) An organic dispersing medium having a reactive functional group and a gelling agent are chemically bonded with each other to solidify the slurry. The process is described in Japanese patent publication 2001-335371A (US publication 2002-0033565).

[0039] According to the process, it is preferred to use an organic dispersing medium having two or more reactive functional groups. Further, 60 weight percent or more of the whole dispersing medium may preferably be an organic dispersing medium having a reactive functional group.

[0040] The organic dispersing medium having a reactive functional group may preferably have a viscosity of 20 cps or lower at 20° C. The gelling agent may preferably have a viscosity of 3000 cps or lower at 20° C. Specifically, it is preferred to react the organic dispersing medium having two or more ester bonds with the gelling agent having an isocyanate group and/or an isothiocyanate group to solidify the slurry.

[0041] The organic dispersing medium satisfies the following two conditions.

[0042] (1) The medium is a liquid substance capable of chemically reacting with the gelling agent to solidify the slurry.

[0043] (2) The medium is capable of producing the slurry with a high liquidity for the ease of supply into the mold.

[0044] The organic dispersing medium necessarily has a reactive functional group, such as hydroxyl, carboxyl and amino groups capable of reacting with the gelling agent in the molecule for solidifying the slurry.

[0045] The organic dispersing medium has at least one reactive functional group. The organic dispersing medium may preferably have two or more reactive functional groups for accelerating the solidification of the slurry.

[0046] The liquid substance having two or more reactive functional groups includes a polyalcohol (for example, a diol such as ethylene glycol, a triol such as glycerin or the like) and polybasic acid (dicarboxylic acid or the like).

[0047] It is not necessary that the reactive functional groups in the molecule may be the same or different kind of functional groups with each other. Further, many reactive functional groups may be present such as polyethylene glycol.

[0048] On the other hand, when a slurry with a high liquidity is produced, it is preferred to use a liquid substance having a viscosity as low as possible. The substance may preferably have a viscosity of 20 cps or lower at 20° C.

[0049] The above polyalcohol and polybasic acid may have a high viscosity due to the formation of hydrogen bonds. In this case, even when the polyalcohl or polybasic acid is capable of solidifying the slurry, they are not suitable as the reactive dispersing medium. In this case, it is preferred to use, as the organic dispersing medium, an ester having two or more ester bonds such as a polybasic ester (for example, dimethyl glutarate), or acid ester of a polyalcohol (such as triacetin).

[0050] Although an ester is relatively stable, it has a low viscosity and may easily react with the gelling agent having a high reactivity. Such ester may satisfy the above two conditions. Particularly, an ester having 20 or lower carbon atoms have a low viscosity, and may be suitably used as the reactive dispersing medium.

[0051] In the embodiment, a non-reactive dispersing medium may be also used. The dispersing agent may preferably be an ether, hydrocarbon, toluene or the like.

[0052] Further, when an organic substance is used as the non-reactive dispersing agent, preferably 60 weight percent or more, more preferably 85 weight percent or more of the whole dispersing agent may be occupied by the reactive dispersing agent for assuring the reaction efficiency with the gelling agent.

[0053] The reactive gelling agent is described in Japanese patent publication 2001-335371A (US publication 2002-0033565).

[0054] Specifically, the reactive gelling agent is a substance capable of reacting with the dispersing medium to solidify the slurry. The gelling agent of the present invention may be any substances, as long as it has a reactive functional group which may be chemically reacted with the dispersing medium. The gelling agent may be a monomer, an oligomer, or a prepolymer capable of cross linking three-dimensionally such as polyvinyl alcohol, an epoxy resin, phenol resin, urethane resin or the like.

[0055] The reactive gelling agent may preferably have a low viscosity of not larger than 3000 cps at 20° C. for assuring the liquidity of the slurry.

[0056] A prepolymer or polymer having a large average molecular weight generally has a high viscosity. According to the present invention, a monomer or oligomer having a lower molecular weight, such as an average molecular weight (GPC method) of not larger than 2000, may be preferably used.

[0057] Further, the “viscosity” means a viscosity of the gelling agent itself (viscosity of 100 percent gelling agent) and does not mean the viscosity of a commercial solution containing a gelling agent (for example, viscosity of an aqueous solution of a gelling agent).

[0058] The reactive functional group of the gelling agent of the present invention may be selected considering the reactivity with the reactive dispersing medium. For example, when an ester having a relatively low reactivity is used as the reactive dispersing medium, the gelling agent having a highly reactive functional group such as an isocyanate group (—N═C═O) and/or an isothiocyanate group (—N═C═S) may be preferably used.

[0059] An isocyanate group is generally reacted with an diol or diamine. An diol generally has, however, a high viscosity as described above. A diamine is highly reactive so that the slurry may be solidified before the supply into the mold.

[0060] Taking such a matter into consideration, a slurry is preferable to be solidified by reaction of a reactive dispersion medium having ester bonds and a gelling agent having an isocyanate group and/or an isothiocyanate group. In order to obtain a further sufficient solidified state, a slurry is more preferable to be solidified by reaction of a reactive dispersion medium having two or more ester bonds and a gelling agent having isocyanate group and/or an isothiocyanate group.

[0061] Examples of the gelling agent having isocyanate group and/or isothiocyanate group are MDI (4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate) type isocyanate (resin), HDI (hexamethylene diisocyanate) type isocyanate (resin), TDI (tolylene diisocyanate) type isocyanate (resin), IPDI (isophorone diisocyanate) type isocyanate (resin), and an isothiocyanate (resin).

[0062] Additionally, in the present invention, other functional groups may preferably be introduced into the foregoing basic chemical structures while taking the chemical characteristics such as compatibility with the reactive dispersion medium and the like into consideration. For example, in the case of reaction with a reactive dispersion medium having ester bonds, it is preferable to introduce a hydrophilic functional group from a viewpoint of improvement of homogeneity at the time of mixing by increasing the compatibility with esters.

[0063] Further, in the present invention, reactive functional groups other than isocyanate and isothiocyanate groups may be introduced into a molecule, and isocyanate group and isothiocyanate group may coexist. Furthermore, as a polyisocyanate, a large number of reactive functional groups may exist together.

[0064] The slurry for shaping the first or second phase may be produced as follows.

[0065] (1)The inorganic powder is dispersed into the dispersing medium to produce the slurry, into which the gelling agent is added.

[0066] (2) The inorganic powder and gelling agent were added to the dispersing agent at the same time.

[0067] The slurry may preferably have a viscosity at 20° C. of 30000 cps or less, more preferably 20000 cps or less, for improving the workability when the slurry is filled into a mold. The viscosity of the slurry may be adjusted by controlling the viscosities of the aforementioned reactive dispersing medium and gelling agent, the kind of the powder, amount of the dispersing agent and content of the slurry (weight percent of the powder based on the whole volume of the slurry).

[0068] If the content of the slurry is too low, however, the density of the shaped body is reduced, leading to the reduction of the strength of the shaped body, crack formation during the drying and sintering processes and deformation due to the increase of the shrinkage. Normally, the content of the slurry may preferably be in a range of 25 to 75 volume percent, and more preferably be in a range of 35 to 75 volume percent, for reducing cracks due to the shrinkage during a drying process.

[0069] Further, various additives may be added to the slurry for shaping. Such additives include a catalyst for accelerating the reaction of the dispersing medium and gelling agent, a dispersing agent for facilitating the production of the slurry, an anti-foaming agent, a detergent, and a sintering aid for improving the properties of the sintering body.

[0070] According to the present invention, the peeling may be prevented between the first and second phases, even when the area of the interface of the first and second phases is large. The present invention is thus suitable for the production of the sintered body having a large surface area. According to the process of the present invention, the sintered body having an area of the interface of the first and second phases of 100 cm² or more, for example 6400 cm², can be produced.

[0071] The thus obtained shaped body is then sintered to produce the sintered body of the present invention. The sintering temperature, atmosphere, temperature ascending and descending rates, and a holding time period at the maximum temperature is to be decided depending on the materials constituting the shaped body. The maximum temperature during the sintering may preferably be in a range of 1400 to 1700° C.

EXAMPLES

[0072] (Test Numbers 1 to 22)

[0073] The integrated sintered body 1 shown in FIG. 1(a) was produced, according to a scheme shown in FIG. 2. In the present example, an alumina substrate 3 and YAG (Yttrium-aluminum garnet) film 2 were continuously formed by gel cast molding process.

[0074] Specifically, alumina powder (“AES-11C” supplied by Sumitomo Denko Inc.), 8 mole percent yttria stabilized zirconia powder (┌TZ8Y┘ supplied by Toso Co. Ltd.), 25 weight parts of dimethyl glutarate (reactive dispersing medium), and 6 weight parts of an aliphatic polyisocyanate (gelling agent) were mixed in a pot mill to obtain a slurry for an alumina substrate. The total content of the alumina powder and 8 mole percent yttria stabilized zirconia powder was 100 weight parts. The content of 8 mole percent yttria stabilized zirconia powder was changed as shown in table 1, provided that the total content of the alumina powder and 8 mole percent yttria stabilized zirconia powder was assigned 100 weight parts. The slurry was filled in a mold, stood for a specific time period so that the slurry was gelled and solidified to produce the shaped portion for the alumina substrate. The designed value of the thickness of the alumina substrate was 7.0 mm.

[0075] Further, 100 weight parts of yttrium-aluminum garnet powder, 27 weight parts of dimethyl glutarate (reactive dispersing medium) and 6 weight parts of an aliphatic polyisocyanate were mixed in a pot mill to obtain a slurry for a YAG film. The slurry was then filled in a mold and solidified to obtain a shaped portion for the YAG film. The designed value of thickness for the YAG film was 0.2 mm.

[0076] The thus obtained integrated shaped body 1 was removed from the mold, and heat treated at 250° C. for 5 hours to remove the solvent, dewaxed at 1000° C. for 2 hours, and then sintered at 1600° C. for 6 hours to obtain a composite sintered body.

[0077] The thus obtained sintered body was observed with an optical microscope at its cross section. The ratio of the number of samples with cracks or peeling observed to the total number of produced samples was shown in table 1. The number of produced samples was 10 for each test. TABLE 1 Second First layer Layer Cracks, Area (alumina + zirconia) (YAG) Peeling of In- Zirconia Thick- Thick- Incidence/ Test terface Stabilizing Amount ness ness Number of Number (cm2) Agent (wt %) (mm) (mm) Samples 1 25 — None 7 0.2 10/10  2 25 8molY2O3 10 7 0.2 9/10 3 25 8molY2O3 12 7 0.2 0/10 4 25 8molY2O3 15 7 0.2 0/10 5 25 8molY2O3 20 7 0.2 0/10 6 25 8molY2O3 25 7 0.2 0/10 7 25 8molY2O3 30 7 0.2 0/10 8 25 8molY2O3 35 7 0.2 0/10 9 25 8molY2O3 40 7 0.2 0/10 10 25 8molY2O3 45 7 0.2 0/10 11 25 8molY2O3 50 7 0.2 0/10 12 25 8molY2O3 55 7 0.2 7/10 13 100 8molY2O3 12 7 0.2 3/10 14 100 8molY2O3 20 7 0.2 0/10 15 100 8molY2O3 25 7 0.2 0/10 16 100 8molY2O3 35 7 0.2 0/10 17 100 8molY2O3 40 7 0.2 0/10 18 100 8molY2O3 50 7 0.2 2/10 19 1600 8molY2O3 20 7 0.2 3/10 20 1600 8molY2O3 25 7 0.2 0/10 21 1600 8molY2O3 35 7 0.2 0/10 22 1600 8molY2O3 40 7 0.2 2/10

[0078] In the test number 1, zirconia was not added into alumina, so that the incidence of cracks or peeling proved to be 10/10. In test number 2, 10 weight percent of 8 mole percent yttria stabilized zirconia was added and the incidence of cracks or peeling proved to be also high. In test numbers 3 to 11, the incidence of cracks or peeling was reduced. In test number 12, 55 weight percent of 8 mole percent yttria stabilized zirconia was added so that the incidence of cracks or peeling was elevated to 7/10.

[0079] In test numbers 13 to 18, the area of the interface of the film contacted with the underlying substrate was enlarged to 100 cm². Needless to say, as the area of the interface of the film contacted with the substrate is made larger, the incidence of cracks or peeling would be considerably increased. In test number 13, 12 weight percent of 8 mole percent yttria stabilized zirconia was added, so that the incidence of cracks or peeling was elevated to 3/10. On the contrary, in test numbers 14 to 17, the incidence of cracks or peeling was 0/10. In test number 18, 50 weight percent of 8 mole percent yttria stabilized zirconia was added so that the incidence of cracks or peeling was slightly increased to 2/10. As can be seen above, it was proved that most preferred results were obtained when the content of 8 mole percent yttria stabilized zirconia was 20 to 40 weight percent.

[0080] In test numbers 19 to 22, the area of the interface of the film contacted with the substrate is enlarged to 1600 cm². In the test number 19, 20 weight percent of 8 mole percent yttria stabilized zirconia was added so that the incidence of cracks or peeling was elevated to 3/10. On the contrary, the incidence of cracks or peeling was 0/10 in the test numbers 20 and 21. In the test number 22, the content of the stabilized zirconia was 40 weight percent, so that the incidence of cracks or peeling was slightly elevated to 2/10. As can be seen from the results, it was proved that the content of the stabilized zirconia was most preferably 25 to 35 weight percent.

[0081] (Test Number 23 to 40)

[0082] Integrated sintered bodies of the test numbers 23 to 40 were produced according to the same procedure described in the test numbers 1 to 22, except that the thickness of the YAG layer was increased to 0.5 mm. The results were shown in table 2. TABLE 2 Second First layer Layer Cracks or Area (alumina + zirconia) (YAG) Peeling of In- Zirconia Thick- Thick- Incidence/ Test terface Stabilizing Content ness ness Number of Number (cm2) Agent (wt %) (mm) (mm) Samples 23 25 8molY2O3 12 7 0.5 1/10 24 25 8molY2O3 20 7 0.5 0/10 25 25 8molY2O3 25 7 0.5 0/10 26 25 8molY2O3 30 7 0.5 0/10 27 25 8molY2O3 35 7 0.5 0/10 28 25 8molY2O3 40 7 0.5 0/10 29 25 8molY2O3 45 7 0.5 0/10 30 25 8molY2O3 50 7 0.5 1/10 31 100 8molY2O3 12 7 0.5 4/10 32 100 8molY2O3 20 7 0.5 2/10 33 100 8molY2O3 25 7 0.5 0/10 34 100 8molY2O3 35 7 0.5 0/10 35 100 8molY2O3 40 7 0.5 0/10 36 100 8molY2O3 50 7 0.5 4/10 37 1600 8molY2O3 20 7 0.5 5/10 38 1600 8molY2O3 25 7 0.5 0/10 39 1600 8molY2O3 35 7 0.5 0/10 40 1600 8molY2O3 40 7 0.5 4/10

[0083] In test numbers 23 to 30, the thickness of the YAG layer was designed as 0.5 mm and 12 to 50 weight percent of 8 mole percent yttria stabilized zirconia was added, so that the incidence of cracks or peeling was proved to be low. It was most preferred that the content of the stabilized zirconia be 20 to 45 weight percent.

[0084] In test numbers 31 to 36, the area of the interface of the film contacted with the substrate was enlarged to 100 cm². In test number 31, 12 weight percent of the stabilized zirconia was added so that the incidence of cracks or peeling was elevated to 4/10. In test number 36, 50 weight percent of the yttria stabilized zirconia was added so that the incidence of cracks or peeling was slightly elevated to 4/10. It was proved that the most preferred content of the stabilized zirconia be 25 to 40 weight percent.

[0085] In test numbers 37 to 40, the area of the interface of the film contacted with the substrate was enlarged to 1600 cm². In test number 37, 20 weight percent of the stabilized zirconia was added so that the incidence of cracks or peeling was elevated to 5/10. In test number 40, 40 weight percent of the yttria stabilized zirconia was added so that the incidence of cracks or peeling was elevated to 4/10. It was proved that the most preferred content of the stabilized zirconia be 25 to 35 weight percent.

[0086] (Test Numbers 41 to 46)

[0087] Integrated sintered bodies of the test numbers 41 to 46 were produced according to the same procedure described in the test numbers 1 to 22, except that the thickness of the YAG layer was increased to 0.5 mm and the content of the stabilizing agent in zirconia was changed. The results were shown in table 3. TABLE 3 First layer Second Cracks (alumina + zirconia) Layer Peeling Area of Zirconia (YAG) Incidence/ Test Interface Stabilizing Degree of Content Thickness Thickness Produced Number (cm2) Agent Stabilization (wt %) (mm) (mm) Samples 41 1600 2mol Partially 30 7 0.5 4/10 Stabilized 42 1600 3molY2O3 Partially 30 7 0.5 4/10 Stabilized 43 1600 5molY2O3 Partially 30 7 0.5 3/10 Stabilized 44 1600 8molY2O3 Stabilized 30 7 0.5 0/10 45 1600 10molY2O3 Stabilized 30 7 0.5 0/10 46 1600 15molCaO Stabilized 30 7 0.5 1/10

[0088] In the test samples 41 to 45, the thickness of the YAG layer was adjusted to 0.5 mm and the stabilized zirconia or partially stabilized zirconia was added. In the test number 41 and 42, the incidence of cracks or peeling was reduced compared with that in the comparative examples. Moreover, the incidence of cracks or peeling may be reduced by increasing the content of the stabilizing agent to 5 mole percent, and further reduced by adding the stabilized zirconia. As can be seen from the test number 46, the advantageous effects of the present invention can be obtained when a stabilizing agent other than yttria are added.

[0089] As described above, the present invention provides an integrated sintered body having a first phase and a second phase containing yttrium-aluminum garnet as a main component, in which the incidence of peeling of the second phase from the first phase may be reduced to improve the production yield.

[0090] The present invention has been explained referring to the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments which are given by way of examples only, and may be carried out in various modes without departing from the scope of the invention. 

1. A sintered body comprising at least first and second phases; wherein said first phase comprises, as a main component, alumina containing a total amount of 12 weight percent or more and 50 weight percent or less of one or more of stabilized zirconia and partially stabilized zirconia, and said second phase comprises yttrium-aluminum garnet as a main component.
 2. The sintered body of claim 1, wherein said first and second phases are laminated and said first phase has a thickness larger than that of said second phase.
 3. The sintered body of claim 1, wherein said second phase has a thickness of 0.2 mm or more.
 4. The sintered body of claim 1, wherein said first and second phases contacts each other at an interface having an area of 25 cm² or more.
 5. The sintered body of claim 1, wherein said first phase comprises said stabilized zirconia.
 6. The sintered body of claim 5, wherein said stabilized zirconia comprises 8 mole percent yttria stabilized zirconia.
 7. A method of producing a sintered body comprising at least first and second phases; wherein said first phase comprises, as a main component, alumina containing a total amount of 12 weight percent or more and 50 weight percent or less of one or more of stabilized zirconia and partially stabilized zirconia, and said second phase comprises yttrium-aluminum garnet as a main component.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said first and second phases are laminated and said first phase has a thickness larger than that of said second phase.
 9. The method of claim 7, comprising the steps of; shaping at least one of a first portion for said first phase and a second portion for said second phase by gel casting; preparing a shaped body comprising said first portion and said second portion; and sintering said shaped body to provide said sintered body.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein said step of shaping by gel casting comprises the step of; preparing a slurry containing a gelling agent and an organic dispersing medium having a reactive functional group, so that said organic dispersing medium and said gelling agent are chemically bonded with each other to solidify said slurry.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein said organic dispersing agent has two or more of said reactive functional groups.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein said organic dispersing medium is an ester, and said gelling agent is a compound having an isocyanate group and/or an isothiocyanate group. 